Paul Ferguson has two selections for us today from Punchestown; Steps To Freedom (2.45) and Shinrock Paddy (3.45). Compare odds.
Aside from the return of Forpadydeplasterer, the Buck House Novice Chase is the highlight of a cracking card over at Punchestown on Thursday and Shinrock Paddy (3:45) is fancied to land the Grade 3 event on his debut over fences.
A Grade 1 winner in his novice hurdle days, the seven-year-old has won first time out in each of his three seasons racing and also won his sole point-to-point by a distance back in March 2008.
Paul Nolan’s Deploy gelding will need further as the season goes on, but this is the perfect starting point and he is given the nod over fellow debutant Rathlin and those with previous chasing experience.
Another taking on more experienced rivals is Steps To Freedom (2:45) who is fancied to land the Grade 3 Ryan’s Cleaning Events Specialists Hurdle on just his second start over timber.
Jessie Harrington’s charge easily beat an impressive subsequent winner on his debut over hurdles and the classy bumper and Flat performer can take this next step up the ladder in his stride.
The five-year-old relishes decent ground, so connections will be praying the rain stays away.
Thursday’s selections:
2:45 Punchestown Steps To Freedom (7/4 Paddy Power)
3:45 Punchestown Shinrock Paddy (2/1 Bet365 / Boylesports)
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- AL FEROF won Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 10-1
- BENSALEM won Stewart Family Handicap 5-1
- BOBS WORTH won A Bartlett 15-8, 4/4 for year
- CAPTAIN CHRIS won Arkle Trophy 6-1
- FIRST LIEUTENANT won Neptune Investment 7-1
- (plus Grade 1 in Ireland 16-1)
- JAMES DE VASSY won Lanzarote Hurdle 8-1
- LONG RUN won King George 9-2, Gold Cup 7-2
- OSCAR WHISKY won Aintree Hurdle 6-1
- Peddlers Cross (Fighting Fifth Hurdle)
- Medermit (Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase)
- FINIAN’S RAINBOW (Maghull Novices’ Chase)
- WISHFULL THINKING (Manifesto Novices’ Chase)
